UK Horse Racing Tips: Dundalk

This is a significant drop in class for 84-rated HALE BOPP. He was last seen when beaten over six lengths into ninth over C&D, however, that was a handicap for horses rated up to 100. He has won on the Polytrack before, and over this trip on turf in Cork and Naas. By virtue of being a triple C&D winner, Skontonovski merits plenty of respect. He is likely to be coming home stronger than most. The negative is that he is a stone worse off with Hale Bopp at the weights. James McAuley is well represented and Godolphin cast-off Lone Fighter makes his first start for him. He won on the all-weather surface at Kempton for Saeed Bin Suroor and market support would be significant. Majestic Colt has been placed in claiming company in his last two races at this track. Rocky Dreams is a five-time winner here, but never over this trip.
Prediction : 1st Hale Bopp 2nd Skontonovski 3rd Lone Fighter

There was a lot to like about WHITE BIRCH'S debut in a big-field maiden at Naas. That run was on testing ground and he kept on well to be a never-nearer fifth. He is by a sire, Ulysses, who has a decent record with the limited number of all-weather runners he has had. White Birch's brother won at an all-weather track in Britain. Dabirann attracted plenty of support before coming home eighth over C&D at the start of the month. Improvement is probable and his trainer, Mick Halford, is in very good form. Bataan was prominent throughout in a C&D fillies' maiden before dropping to fourth. She should be involved in the distribution of prize money from a good draw. Brasilian Princess has switched from Britain to Adrian Murray and showed up well when third on Irish debut over 6f at this venue. Jack Kearney takes a handy 7lb off her back. Joseph O'Brien's Cash Out has to be given a market check ahead of his debut. Zurana will have her supporters.
Prediction : 1st White Birch 2nd Dabirann 3rd Bataan

STATIC CHARGE was beaten half a length into second on his penultimate start over C&D and that sets a fair standard. He is on the same mark, so a big run should be forthcoming. Several of these raced against each other in a nursery over 1m at this racecourse just under a fortnight ago. Bedelia came out best of them when racing prominently before being outgunned by a ready winner. The blinkers are retained and she has an ideal draw in stall one. The champion jockey, Colin Keane, is an able deputy for recently-married Chris Hayes. Trident Star was just a nose behind Bedelia in third, but is much worse off at the weights in this race. The handicapper has given Reigles a chance and Adam Caffrey claims a more than useful 7lb, so she can go well in a first-time visor.
Prediction : 1st Static Charge 2nd Bedelia 3rd Reigles

BRONZE RIVER catches the eye on his Irish debut. He has had an extensive career in Britain where he won three times. Last month, he signed off there with a runner-up spot over the same trip on the all-weather surface at Newcastle. The winner of that race has since landed a hat-trick, so that form appears solid. Jack Enright takes 10lb off his back which puts him on a very handy mark. Sondheim has a tough draw, but Neve Bennett gets a tune out of him and the pair ought to be involved at the business end. Eglish is more than capable of running well, particularly over this trip. Coolree is a handicap debutant to note in a first-time hood.
Prediction : 1st Bronze River 2nd Sondheim 3rd Eglish

LINUS LARRABEE travelled well for Sorcha Woods when obliging over C&D this month. He held on close home and has to be of interest off 2lb higher. At the time of writing, his trainer Eddie Lynam has had four winners in Dundalk this month. Capuchinero has a placed effort at Newcastle among her three races. She has switched to Joseph O'Brien and enters handicap company off a mark of 66, so could make her presence felt. In addition, Hugh Horgan claims 7lb. Blinkers and this trip brought about improvement in Delta Romeo at the start of the month. He could build upon that runner-up finish. Arcanears and Cedar Rapids have better claims than most.
Prediction : 1st Linus Larrabee 2nd Capuchinero 3rd Delta Romeo

WITCH OF THE WOOD has shown potential in three turf maidens over this trip and has a shot at the breakthrough on her Polytrack debut. Blinkers are applied for the first time. Joseph O'Brien holds a strong hand as he runs both Lake Nakuru and Osraige. The former is a newcomer who is related to a more than useful seven-time winner. This isn't a strong race and she could have a major say. The latter was placed in a fillies' maiden over 7f here on her debut in November last year. She has run four times since with a best finish of a runner-up finish at Cork, and is returning off a break since June. Tack is the highest rated on 71. He has been keeping on for third and fourth over further in his last couple of races here. He drops back in trip in a bid to get off the mark. Ebtsama has placed form in Britain to call upon.
Prediction : 1st Witch Of The Wood 2nd Lake Nakuru 3rd Osraige

CLUELESS HILL has each-way claims from a lowly mark. He put in a decent shift for fourth place over further at Down Royal in September and several winners have come out of that race. He's a former C&D victor and, when he last visited Dundalk, he wasn't beaten far into fourth in March. Victory Star won four times in Britain for Mark Johnston, including when last seen in a seller on the all-weather surface at Chelmsford City, and has to be respected on his Irish debut. He likes to get on with things, so will be looking for a smart break from stall nine. El C Wells availed of a good ride from Robbie Colgan when popping up over 1m4f this month. She is up 4lb and drops in trip, but Colgan is back on board. Tara Power is on a dangerous mark, but has to prove this is his trip.
Prediction : 1st Clueless Hill 2nd Victory Star 3rd El C Wells

Je T'ai Porte is sure to be popular on the back of winning decisively over C&D last Friday. She settled and was able to dictate throughout before staying on well. She reappears under the mandatory 7lb penalty and looks the one to beat despite the welter burden of 10st 6lb. A horse that may beat her is ST CIANANS FIRE. He scored over C&D earlier in the month when beating Je T'ai Porte into third. A 5lb rise doesn't look harsh given that Je T'ai Porte has since gone in. The Peckhampouncer signalled a return to form when fourth a fortnight ago. He has fallen a long way in the weights and could get closer. Eastern Tornado won by a head over 1m4f on his last visit to Dundalk and is a factor despite the drop in trip. Steel Queen was a market drifter last week, but performed well in third. She isn't out of it.
Prediction : 1st St Cianans Fire 2nd Je Tai Porte 3rd The Peckhampouncer